Search

This article discusses the symptoms, lesions, and risk factors of stroke following infective endocarditis (IE). The study analyzed 81 patients who suffered a stroke after IE and found that motor/sensory deficits were the main symptoms. The most common form of stroke was partial anterior circulation stroke. Native mitral valve endocarditis was identified as a risk factor for stroke, while prosthetic valve endocarditis was not. There was no significant difference in ICU stay or in-hospital mortality between the groups. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the influence of delirium on the outcomes of cardiac surgery in elderly patients. The study analyzed data from 684 patients aged 80 years and older who underwent cardiac surgery between 2012 and 2019. It was found that 14.6% of these patients experienced postoperative delirium. The study identified several risk factors for delirium, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), duration of ventilation, and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The findings suggest that measures should be taken to prevent delirium in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in understanding thoracic aortic diseases. The researchers identified two lncRNAs, TMEM72-AS1 and LINC00632, that are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and differ between dilated and non-dilated areas of the aorta. The expression of these lncRNAs was significantly higher in dilated areas, particularly in tissues from patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and aortic regurgitation (AI). The findings suggest that these lncRNAs could be potential targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in thoracic aortic diseases. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the development of an additively manufactured template for physician-modified endografts, which are used to treat complex aortic aneurysms. The template is designed to improve the precision of fenestrations, which are manually cut by surgeons into the endoprosthesis. The template is patient-specific and simplifies, standardizes, and accelerates the modification process. The article describes the methods used to create the template, including segmentation of the patient-specific centerline and additive manufacturing. The results show that the template can be produced within a few hours, is biocompatible and sterilizable, and has a high accuracy in fenestration. The developed method allows for the creation of a sterilized, precise, and patient-specific template within one day. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose Abdominothoracic fistulas are severe complications of hydatid disease. We report here on the results of surgical treatment of hydatid abdominopleural fistulas in 6 patients.Material and Methods Between 2004 and 2010, 6 patients with abdominothoracic fistulas (ATF) were treated. The patients were 3 men and 3 women (age range: 47-62 years; median age: 57.1 years). The main symptoms were dyspnea, chest pain, cough, purulent sputum, high fever in 4 patients and additionally bilioptysis in 2. Fistulas were left abdominopulmonary in 1, hepatopulmonary in 2 and hepatopleural in 3 patients.Results Five patients were operated for ATF and 1 patient was treated with tube thoracostomy. In 4 patients, liver dome hydatid cyst abscesses were exposed through a right thoracophrenotomy, a first left thoracophrenotomy was performed in 1 patient followed by a second left lower lobectomy due to a destroyed lobe. Tube thoracostomy and percutaneous transhepatic drainage was applied successfully in Patient #5. All patients were discharged from hospital in good health. Our strategy consisted of adequate evacuation of the intrahepatic cyst with dissection and closure of the fistula via thoracophrenotomy.Discussion ATF due to hydatid cyst is uncommon. In rare cases ATF may be present at the abdominal, thoracic or diaphragmatic level. Thoracophrenotomy is the best surgical treatment for all three levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To avoid extended cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), moderate temperatures are commonly accepted for hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), thereby jeopardizing organ protection. Distal aortic perfusion may be an option, but supportive experimental data is missing. Methods: Eight juvenile pigs (36 ± 2 kg) were cooled to 30°C followed by 60min of HCA with 50 min of lowflow(LF) lower bodyperfusion. Multimodal monitoring was used to measure overall metabolism, hemodynamics andmicrocirculation of the terminal ileum. The animals were observed for four hours following reperfusion. Organs were harvested for histopathological evaluation. Results: During LF perfusion, initially elevated llactate levels decreased subsequently (p < 0.05). Capillary blood flow decreased during cooling to 50% baseline levels (p = 0.03), but remained stable under LF conditions. Parameters indicative of reduced liver and kidney function were slightly elevated at the end of the experiment, but still within normal ranges. Conclusion: Under moderate hypothermia, low flow perfusion seems to provide adequate protection for the lower body organs. Microcirculatory parameters during perfusion as well as lactate levels within normal ranges throughout the experiments further confirm the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]